https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxVwR8RQCeY&t=4s … [Read more...]
State Action is Crucial
On December 19, 2021, Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced that he would not support the Build Back Better bill (BBBB), which contained a number of climate actions as well as social programs. The Biden Administration has worked with Senator Manchin and other legislators on compromises to … [Read more...]
Conference of Parties (COP) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
The 27th annual Conference of Parties (COP27) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt on November 6 – 18, 2022. The agenda and numerous other documents for the COP are available here. The main issues of COP27 were (1) member parties’ emissions … [Read more...]
Governor Signs Climate Bills
Governor Inslee signed several of the big environmental bills of the 2021 session on Monday, May 18 in Seattle at various locations. Bills included SB 5126 (the Climate Commitment Act), HB 1091 (Clean Fuels); and SB 5141 (HEAL Act). He vetoed provisions in 5126 and 1091 that would have made … [Read more...]
Zero Emissions Vehicles HB 1287
The legislature passed HB 1287, the zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) bill, after it was amended to “establish a goal that all publicly and privately owned passenger and light duty vehicles of model year 2030 or later sold, purchased, or registered in Washington state be electric vehicles, contingent … [Read more...]
SB 5126 Climate Commitment Act
JUUstice WA has not made the Climate Commitment Act a priority because there is some opposition from frontline communities on equity issues (see the detailed hearings report, below). Some members have asked about the bill, so it is described here. It passed the legislature with amendments to meet … [Read more...]
Presentation on Environmental Justice
Watch Robert Colón's amazing presentation on Electric Vehicles, Smart Growth, Environmental Justice, and Avoiding Eco-Colonialism. Watch it by clicking here: SolutionaryRail.org/yesand (Move the scroll bar to start at the 6 minute mark to bypass the initial tech set up delay.) … [Read more...]
There’s a Right Track and a Wrong Track for the Future of WA State Rail
Tom White, one of the lead authors of the Amtrak Cascades LRP, and Solutionary Rail Project Lead Bill Moyer, wrote this article about the future of rail in our State: by Thomas White and Bill Moyer Washington state has two potential tracks toward a 21st century rail future, with starkly … [Read more...]
Carbon Pollution Bill SB 5373 “Washington Strong”
While SB 5373 is not one of the environmental priorities identified at the Justice Summit, a number of people have expressed interest in the bill. The bill appears to be dead for the session, but there is some possibility of its revival in the budget negotiations. Information below provides some … [Read more...]
Town Halls are Opportunities to Meet with Legislators
At this point in the legislative session, it would be a good idea to meet with your legislators to discuss pending legislation. Most legislators are scheduling town halls online, and you can find out when at the Washington Conservation Voter website. Some will let you ask questions beforehand, which … [Read more...]
Fluorinated Gases HB 1050
HB 1050 addresses the leakage of HFC (Hydrofluorocarbon), a greenhouse gas approximately 10,000 times as potent as CO2, although it is in much smaller concentrations (parts per trillion) than CO2 (parts per million). It was developed to replace CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) when it was discovered that … [Read more...]
Growth Management Act revision bill HB 1099
The environmental-explicit portion of the Growth Management Act (GMA) revision, HB 1099, regarding vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was introduced as part of the GMA suite of bills. This is one of the legislative priorities identified by participants in the Justice … [Read more...]
Building Electrification Bill 1084
The building electrification bill, HB 1084, has been transformed into the Governor's Healthy Homes & Clean Buildings bill. Building electrification is one of the environmental justice legislative priorities identified at the Justice Summit. The following provisions are in the bill: … [Read more...]
HB 1091, Clean Fuel Standard, passes Legislature
HB 1091 is the Clean Fuels Bill, reintroduced in the 2021-22 session after failing in 2020. It requires reductions in carbon emissions from transportation fuels. It is one of the legislative priorities identified at the Justice Summit. A public hearing was held on January 14 in the House Committee … [Read more...]
Senate Environment Committee Met on December 1
The Washington State Senate will be meeting virtually this year and next. In preparation for the session that begins in January, the Senate Environment Committee met virtually on December 1, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. The following topics were be discussed: 1. Washington State Energy Strategy … [Read more...]
General Assembly Workshops on Climate are Online
Three workshops from the 2020 General Assembly are now available online. They were presented under the title "Learning from Providence," based on the original location of the "live" General Assembly that had to be moved online. The three workshops are: Providence, Rhode Island, has an ambitious … [Read more...]
General Assembly Ware Lecture, by Naomi Klein, Features Green New Deal
The 2020 General Assembly Ware Lecture, held online, featured remarks on the Green New Deal by Naomi Klein. She has authored books on the economy and climate change, including This Changes Everything, and attended the 2015 Convention of Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which … [Read more...]
King County Cities’ Climate Action
People for Climate Action coalition is pushing ahead with educational programs to bring city officials and the general public in King County up to speed on the sort of actions that cities can take to reduce our climate change impacts. PCA holds frequent webinars on climate actions, and you can … [Read more...]
Four Climate Bills Pass in 2020 Legislature, Three Signed by Governor
Four climate bills, HB 2311, HB 2248, HB 2518, and SB 5811 passed the 2020 legislature (see full descriptions by clicking on the bill number) and three have been signed by the governor. Two of the bills, HB 2311 (emissions limits) and SB 5811 (zero emissions vehicles) have deadlines for Washington … [Read more...]
HB 2518, Gas Leakage Bill, Passes House and Senate and signed by Governor
HB 2518 requires the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) to increase oversight of measures undertaken by natural gas companies to reduce hazardous leaks and nonhazardous fugitive emissions from gas pipelines. It requires, beginning July 1, 2020, and on an annual basis thereafter, each gas … [Read more...]